Peter Leithart, Torah and Social Justice over at On the Square at First Things. A thoughtful piece on one of my favorite (and least favorite) topics, "social" justice. HT to Professor Pryor at PryorThoughts.
Jordan Ballor, Which Church? Whose Justice? at the Acton Institute PowerBlog.
Another terrible Ninth Circuit decision. The court holds that public university administrators may apply non-discrimination policies to student religious groups that discriminate on the basis of religion, even while allowing other student groups to restrict membership to those who hold particular beliefs. Any group, in other words, may exclude from leadership or membership anyone who does not subscribe to the group's ideology-- unless the group is a religious group, formed on the basis of "ideology." There is a clear split in the circuits now on this question, so it may be ripe for Supreme Court review. (Here is Steve Shiffrin at MOJ describing the issue).
J. Mark Bertrand, Pattern of Wounds. Bertrand's second installment in the Roland March series is getting great press, and deservedly so. If you like crime fiction, thrillers, cop stuff, noir fiction, mysteries, or any good read, pick up his first March novel, Back on Murder, then move on to Pattern of Wounds. Great stories, compelling characters, and wonderful dialogue. Add Bertrand's rich, but subtly-woven themes surrounding man's search for understanding in the face of the real evil and suffering-- and good-- in the world, and you have the complete package. Have a listen to the Books & Culture podcast and read Lars Walker's recent review of Back on Murder.
Interesting articles, however perhaps you share my opinion that the arguments for (and definition of) 'social justice' are circular talking-points as solid as a plate of warm jello.
ReplyDeleteLately, when I hear someone "preaching" "social justice" my first thought is total and complete rejection. I am just not interested in participating in guilt-based social hegemony.
To them I say, If you want to help the poor, then help them, if you want others to help, then ask them, but please stop using pseudo-theological arguments to establish a political outcome.
My thoughts have similar parallels regarding the "Green Movement".